••^^%'' 



s.^>. 









9 ' 


















/ ./ '^^ 



>^ 





















•*b^ 



'•*Ao« 












/^^ 
















/ ,^^^ ^^-^ 



%. -^ 
'^i. ** 



« ^^"It. 



V ^^ 



^. *•-<»" ^^ 



'♦ "^ 






















0° .iiiJ!;!' '1 



o^^^.^^o^^ ^^^^^:?f?^\^^^ %*^--%o 















» h 






r ■ ' ' ' 



LETTER OF MERLE D'iUBIGNE, D.D. 



The following letter is from the jDen of Rev. J. H. 
Merle D'Aubigne, D.D., of Geneva. But it is not only 
the voice of the historian of the Reformation ; — the 
Protestantism of Europe here speaks to the Protestantism 
of America from a revered seat of our common faith, in 
tones so conciUatory and Christlike, that the most sensi- 
tive can not take offense. Will not the reader prayer- 
fully consider this appeal, and also bring it to the know- 
ledge of the church with which he is connected ? 

To the Evangelical €lirj§tiaiis of the United 
States of America. 

Dearly helomd brethren in Christy our all-sufficient 
Saviour and common Head: 

The Evangelical Christians of Geneva frequently re- 
turn thanks to God for having, in the days of Calvin, 
kindled that torch in their city, whose salutary Hght has 
spread throughout Europe, and reached your far-distant 
shores. They also give thanks to the Lord, that in these 
latter days, when the word of tr^ith is penetrating into 
all nations of the earth. He has placed a powerful focus 
in North- America ; and has sent the children of God from 
your churches both to enlighten the ancient countries of 
the East, where the Apostles themselves preached the 
Gospel, and to bring many souls out of heathen darkness 



2 LETTER OF MEKLE D'AUBIGXE, D.D. 

to the Lord and Saviour. The work of propagatuig 
Christianity in all the world, is, in our opinion, dear 
brethren, the principal vocation which has been allotted 
to you from on high. Thus every thmg which can 
strengthen the hands of American Christians is, we think, 
an advantage to the whole world ; whilst any thing 
which would weaken them is a real loss, a matter of 
grief, not to you alone, but to us, and to all mankind. 

Now, dear brethren, we desire to express to you a 
thought v/hich often pi-esses itself upon our hearts. "We 
fear that the laws which estabhsh and regulate Slavery in 
several of your States, are a source of weakness, not only 
in your own dear country, but to her legitimate influence 
over other nations. We know that there are Christians 
in the United States who possess slaves, and we would 
not oftend them. " Honor all men," says the Scripture, 
(1 Peter 2 : 17,) and above all, we wish to do so " to them 
that have obtained a hke precious faith with us." (2 Pe- 
ter 1:1.) We would assure them we come not to speak 
mth them as enemies, but as brethren. We do not claim 
the right of imposing our opinion with authority upon 
them ; — the Pope of Rome alone believes that he has that 
power ; — and we do not doubt that those among you who 
differ from us on this subject, are sincere and upright in 
their opinions. However, if we would speak in love, we 
must also speak in truth, and with that precious liberty 
which belongs to Christians. We know, moreover, that 
the city of Calvin is an object of deep and brotherly sym- 
]>athy in America. Your citizens who visit us, are con- 
tinually giving us fresh proofs of this, and this circum- 
stance excites a hope that our request will find some 
tlivor in your eyes. But, we repeat, we do not pretend 
to teach you, but to give you a cordial token of our 
Krotherly love. 

Beloved brethren, if it is true, not only that Slavery is 
C3tablished in several of your States, but that in many 



LEITER OF MERLE D'aUBIGXE, D.D. 3 

places it is unlawful to instruct the children of slaves or 
even for the parents to attend pubhc worship ; if it is 
true that the ties of husband and wife, parent and child 
are often violently severed ; if it is true that the master 
acqmres the property and possession of a woman as if she 
were his own wife ; if other facts, which we prefer not to 
describe here, are true— we ask ourselves, and we would 
also ask you, if such laws are compatible with the eter- 
nal principles of Christianity, which we aU are bound to 
obey? 

We might doubtless brmg forward other arguments 
We might remind you that Slavery is contrary to natural 
rights, and that all men having freedom alike, none can be 
deprived of that Hberty unless forfeited by some criminal 
act ; that the rights of property in men and in things are 
widely different, and that no man is aUowed to sell a hu- 
man being as he would a material object. We might 
say, with Montesquieu, that Slavery is hurtful ahke to the 
slave and to the master ; to the master especially, because 
he acquires all sorts of vices with his slaves. He be- 
comes proud, hasty, passionate, hard, voluptuous, cruel 
We imght add, with that iUustrious author, that m every 
country, however severe the toil which society exacts 
its fruits may be obtained from freemen, by encouragmg 
them with rewards and privileges, adapting the labor 
to their strength, by bringing to their aid machinery 
which art invents, and which, we might add, art has in- 
vented abundantly smce the days of that great writer. 
But we prefer waiving such material considerations, and 
dwellmg upon our argument in a Christian point of view. 
We acknowledge, dear brethren, that Slavery is not ex- 
plicitly abolished in the New Testament. We see that 
Christian masters are not prohibited from havmg slaves, 
(Col. 4:1; Eph. 6:9;) and that slaves are exhorted to 
submission and fidelity, (Eph. Q : 5, 8 ; Col. 3 : 22, 25 ; 
Titus 3 : 9, 10 ; 1 Peter 2 : 5, 18.) Yes, slaves ought to 



4 LETTER OF MEELE D^AUBIGNE, D.D. 

be obedient and faithful, and nothing should be said 
which could drive them to revolt ; that is certain ; and 
yet it is as certain that Slavery is opposed to the true 
spirit of Christianity. 

There are many texts in the New Testament which 
make this plain. Does not St. Paul say to the Christian 
slave, that if he can obtain Ids freedom^ he is to take ad 
vantage of it ? (1 Cor. 7 : 21.) " The Apostle thus de- 
monstrates that liberty is not only good, but also more 
advantageous than slavery," says Cahin. Is it not also 
evident that slaves who have become Christians, should 
be regarded by their masters as brethren^ according to 
the Epistle to Philemon ? Does not the same Apostle, in 
another place, say that before the Lord in heaven the 
slave is as the free f (Eph. 6:9.) Do not the Scriptures 
elsewhere declare that the slave and the free share in the 
same blessings of God in Jesus Christ, the Father, Son and 
Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for ever ? Is He not the 
true and living God of the black as well as of the white 
man ? If the Eternal Son, who is God for ever and ever, 
became man, was it not for the Greek as weU as the Jew, 
for the slave as well as the free ? Does not the right- 
eousness which was acquired on the cross by the atoning 
blood of the Lamb, cover the sins of the one as well as 
of the other ? Does the Holy Spirit, which changes the 
hearts of all in whom he dwells into temples of the Holy 
Ghost, make any distinction of color ? Ought we not to 
exclaim now with the primitive Christians: "By one 
Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be 
bond or free"? (1 Cor. 12: 13.) "There is neither 
bond nor free, but Christ is all and in all." (Col. 3 : 11.) 

Such being the teaching of the Scriptures, do you not 
think with us, beloved brethren, that these principles 
suppress the spirit of Slavery, and only leave its name and 
appearance ? Do you not beheve that since God, our 
conmion Father, bestows the tender sympathies of his 



LETTER OF MERLE D'AUBIGNE, D.D. 5 

love equally upon the slave and the free, we then* breth- 
ren can not refuse the precious boon of liberty to those 
who are dej^rived of it ? If Christ has made them free, 
shall not %ce free them also ? Christianity in general did 
not lay violent or unprudent hands on civil institutions, 
but spread its principles everywhere, and gave precepts 
to all men, the application of which was gradually to 
bring about the suppression of all abuses. 

These considerations are important ; but, we repeat, 
what particularly induces us to make an appeal to your 
consciences, is the system of laws, manifestly opposed to 
the precepts of Christianity, with which several of your 
States have been obliged to burden their legislation, in 
order to maintain Slavery in the midst of you. It is not 
necessary to enumerate these laws ; we know them from 
official documents pubhshed in Europe, and which have 
caused both astonishment and grief to the friends of reli- 
gion, morahty, and hberty. We are aware these laws 
do not exist in a good many of your States ; we know 
that, with the exception of one or two laws, legislation on 
Slavery is local, instituted in their sovereign power by 
those States alone which maintain Slavery. But that in 
no way prevents us from freely expressing the sentiments 
which animate us, either to just and moderate men, who 
doubtless are to be found in abundance in the Southern 
States, or to all the Christians of the American Union. 

If we mistake not, there are three classes of opinions 
and of persons in the United States, as to the present 
subject ; one is decidedly against Slavery, another is 
decidedly in its favor ; but there is a medium class which 
hesitates ; and we think the moment has arrived when 
all those who belong to that class ought to decide before 
God and their conscience, wisely, but with courage and 
firmness. Between Christianity on one side, and utili- 
tarianism on the other, we do not think that Christians 
should hesitate. 



6 LETTER OF MEKLE D'AUBIGNE, D.D. 

The two great features which characterize the United 
States, and which form the essence of your people, are 
they not, honored friends — the Gospel and Liberty ! 
And are you not called upon both to enjoy these two 
blessings for yourselves, and to testify to others how 
happy are those nations who possess them, and thus 
to be the means of spreading them in the world ? Now 
it is precisely the Gospel and Liberty which are imph- 
cated in this question. The maintenance of Slavery 
must hinder the growth of these two great principles. 
The most eminent writers have shown that if Slavery may 
be excused in despotic States, it is in conflict with the 
essence of democracy, and that if it is more or less nat- 
ural amidst Mohammedans and Pagans, it is impossible 
to justify it amongst Christians, and above all amongst 
Protestants. Yes, it is now in your power, dear Ameri- 
can friends, to render the most brilliant homage, the 
most signal service, to the cause of the Gospel of Protest- 
antism and of true Liberty. Will you hesitate ? 

How often we have mourned to see Roman Catholics 
and partisans of arbitrary governments triumph in 
pointing to the existence of Slavery in the United 
States ! How often have we been tempted to exclaim : 
"Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of 
Askelon, lest the daughters of the Phihstines trimnph." 
(2 Sam. 1 : 20.) 

Dear brethren, listen to these voices, w^iich come from 
a far distant land at the foot of the Alps, from the city 
of the Reformation, and are raised in concert with those 
in France and other coimtries. We would entreat you 
by the most precious interests ; in the name of the pros- 
perity of the Union, of the peace, of the glory of your 
country ; in the name of the cause of true liberty ; and, 
above all, of the holy and great cause of Christianity ; — to 
do all in your power, with an unflinching fidelity, to bring 
about the suppression of Slavery and the establishment 



LETTEK OF MEELE D'AUBIGNE, D.D. 7 

of social liberty in your country. Let it be done Avith 
wisdom, with kindness, with justice, without disturbing 
the public peace, but, notwithstanding, as promptly and 
as universally as possible. 

Should this step offend you, dear brethren, we pray 
you to forgive us. We conjure you to bear with us. 
We say with St. Paul to the Corinthians, " If we are fool- 
ish, it is for the love of you ;" it is, we believe, for the 
glory of Jesus Christ ; it is because we thought that God, 
in a special manner, had called us so to do. 

We live in solemn times. A new era is dawning on 
this question, not only in your country but m the whole 
civilized world. Universal attention is aroused. Every- 
where public opinion pronounces with decision on this 
subject. The time is certainly come when America must 
give satisfaction to the claims of Christianity. We know 
that it is not easy to find the means of attaining that end. 
There will be many shoals and difficulties ; but we know 
that your people have more courage than any others to 
surmount all these obstacles, and that the Lord will give 
the victory to those who are on his side. Let nothing 
stop your progress ; combat Slavery in the spirit of the 
Gospel, and not in a mere worldly spirit. Seek, above 
all, the means of attaining this excellent end in a spirit of 
prayer. Look to the Word of God, to the spirit of 
Christianity, to the requirements of moraUty and liberty, 
and to Jesus the Redeemer, and thus go forward in the 
Lord's name. May God be your strength in this great, 
salutary, just, and Christian work. Let us assure you 
that such shall be our constant prayer ! 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, 
Amen! 



Merle D'Aubigne, D.D., President de I'&ole de Theologie et Yice- 

Pr^sident de la Societe ^vangelique.^ 
L. Gaussen, D.D., Professeur de I'Ecole de Theologie et Membre 

dcs Comites de la Soc. Evan. 



8 LETTER OF MERLE D'AUBIGNE, D.D. 

H. LAHARPE, Proffesseur de I'Ecole de Theologie, et membre du 

Comite de la Societe Evan. ^ m' •_„„« 1 

C. xMalan, D.D, Pasteur de T^glise du Temoiguage.^ J 

H Trovchiv Colonel federal et President du Comite Italien. 1 

Adr^^NavIlle President du Comite do I'Alliance fivangebque et du 

Comite d'fivangelisation de la Soc Evan. 
Ts Rrocher President du Presbytere de I'Eghse Evan. 
DR dXiTe, Vice-President du Presbytere de r|ghse |van. 
Sr Lo^ 'rd; Vice-President du Presbytere de I'figbse Evan. 
FwTTv Demole Pasteur, Membre du Presbytere. . v-& ^ ^ 

I pIet Professed de V^cole de Theologie et Pasteur de l^ghse 

E BixDER, Professeur de I'ficole de Theologie. 

A. Le Fort, Tresorier de la Soc. Evan. . 

Dr. Panchaud, Membre du Comite de la Soc Evan. 

C. Cr^mieux, President du Comite de Colportage de la Soc. Evan, et 

E ^rImer, Membre du Comite^dela Soc Evan, et Diacre. 

\^^ Tttrrettivi Membre du Comite de la boc. E\^n. 

Jk DE MoRsSS, Membre du Comite de la Soc. Ilvan. et du Comite 

des Missions. . , -, , o -6 ^^ 

a Naville, Membre du Comite de la Soc Evan. 
H SeRMENT Avocat, Membre du Comite de la Soc. Evan. 
Ch Hahn', Membre du Comite de la Soc. Evan. 
F Cramer, Membre du Comite de la Soc. Evan, 
i'" r aTtier, Maior fed. Membre du Comite de la Soc. Evan. 
?• .tJ«?^rde Pasteur President du Comit6 des Missions. 
h!SrRE SecS'de la Soc. des Missions et Membre du Comite 

de la Soc. ]6van. , , , r- • 

^.^^'"^^' ^^Er^LER tl^ist^^^^^^^ des Missions. , 

D'E^PiNf P^re, Secretaire de la Soc. Biblique de Geneve. 

^^ArxMEfSRofp?^^^^^^^^ de rUnionChr^tienne des 

c/ GALOP^irMembre du Comite de rUnion Cbretienne. 

F Bertholet, Pasteur, Membre du Presbytere. 

Emile Guers, Pasteur, Membre du Presbytere. 

Tn Lhuillier, Pasteur, :Membre du Presbytere. 

Ch* Saladin, Ancien, de I'Eglise Evangelique. 

E Bieler, Ancien, de i;Egbse,Evan. 

A Loup, Ancien, de TEglise Evan. 

t' a. Glardon, Ancien, de TEgbse Evan. 

H. Dansse, Diacre, de rEglise Evan. 

M. Briquet, Diacre, de I'Eglise Evan. 

T L. ViLLiBOURG, Diacre, de I'Eglise Evan. 

L ZiMMERLi, Diacre, de VEglise Evan. 

?.Kctr;rD J^LoSrMembre du Co»itide la Soc W 

Wm. Rey, Membre du Comite de la Soc. Evan. 

Hi. Morret, V. D. M e^ a W 




j»° ... % '*^'- <**"^ , . . V* - • V° . ^ A. '' 
J' \ , „»^, 



' .&' 



•• 



^o 










- .^ ■*^'^'- V^' /^S: %v* 















a.oo ^ 



^o 


















,\ '•*Ao'« ;^ 


















\# 






BOOKBINDING 
Grantville, Pa 

Jan Fet) 1989 

Wt f» OujJkv Sou 



^'T7i* A 



V **'% •; 



,*> ...... ':*^ 



o • k • 4G X5. 



.fl*^ .o.«, '^ 



